NATO Shipping Centre: Daily Piracy Update

Last updated: Friday 06 January 2012

Recent Activity
There have been two disruptions of Pirate Attack Groups (PAGs)
by naval Counter-Piracy (CP) forces over the past 24 hours.

Yesterday’s approach (Alert 003) was interrupted by the presence of a CP helicopter, and later the dhow was disrupted in the evening of 05 January. The second disruption occurred early Friday morning in the IRTC where the dhow Al-QASHMI was disrupted by naval CP forces.

Masters are still advised to be vigilant as there are other PAGs still active in the Bab al Mandeb (BAM), Gulf of Aden (GOA), and Arabian Sea (AS). Specific areas of concern are indicated on the PAG Map...

Current Situation
The Gulf of Aden and Bab al Mandeb (BAM) are areas of increased threat to merchant shipping. On 4 January 2012, one vessel was attacked in the IRTC (Alert 001), another vessel was attacked near the Bab al Mandeb (Alert 002), and three vessels were approached (NSC 1/12). These attacks and approaches against merchant vessels demonstrate that piracy can occur at any time. Masters are advised that the PAGs involved in the attacks and approaches today are still in the area. Vessels should proceed with extreme caution through this area.

Masters are reminded that the threat of piracy against merchant shipping is ever-present in the High Risk Area (HRA), and are advised to ensure ALL necessary Self Protection Measures are implemented as recommended in Best Management Practices. Prudent and timely application of BMP can make the important difference of being approached, attacked, or being pirated.

If any incident occurs, Masters are requested to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide the details of the incident. This will ensure the information is quickly provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance. If Merchant Masters are safely able to take photographs during an attack and provide these photos as well as the details of the situation to the NATO Shipping Centre and UKMTO it would be greatly appreciated. This information will be used to assist the Counter Piracy forces’ ability in combating piracy activities.

NATO Shipping Centre: Weekly Piracy Update

Reporting period: 29 Dec 2011 to 04 Jan 2012 (Updated: 04 Jan 2012)

Overview
During the reporting period of 29 December 2011 to 04 January 2012 pirate activity against vessels has increased, but is still less than the same time last year. Two vessels were attacked (Alert 001 and Alert 002) and 3 vessels were approached (NSC 1/12) in the Gulf of Aden (GOA). As well, areas of suspicious activity are noted in the IRTC (NSC 20/11), and in the north Arabian Sea. Details can be found on our Alert Details webpage, the link can be found here: http://www.shipping.nato.int/Pages/AllAlerts.aspx Masters are advised to be vigilant as Pirate Attack Groups (PAGs) are active and waiting for the opportunity to attack merchant ships. Specific areas of concern are indicated on the PAG Map.

Masters are reminded that the threat of piracy is always present in the High Risk Area (HRA) and are advised to implement self-protection measures as recommended in Best Management Practices (BMP4). Prudent and timely application of BMP can make the important difference of being approached, attacked, or being pirated.

Southern Red Sea (SRS)/Bab Al Mandeb (BAM) / Gulf of Aden (GOA)/Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC)
The wave height in the GOA and BAM has decreased, contributing to these areas having an increase in piracy activity and consequently a higher threat to merchant shipping. PAGs are known to be in these areas, including the PAGs involved in the recent attacks and approaches.

Arabian Sea (AS)/Greater Somali Basin (SB)
With the increasing NE monsoon, piracy activity in the Arabian Sea is expected to decline, although better weather closer to the coast may tempt some pirates to head out and attack vessels of opportunity. There have been reports of some suspicious vessels 180nm off the coast of Oman, in vicinity of 1630N 05930E. Masters are advised to be vigilant when transiting this area and contact UKMTO if they see any suspicious activity in this region.

Counter Piracy Guidance Update
Successful disruptions by counter piracy forces, complemented by masters’ adherence and implementation of BMP, have significantly reduced the pirates’ ability to capture vessels. Pirates continue their attempts to hijack any vessels of opportunity; a reminder that piracy can occur at any time. In the northern SB and AS it has been noticed that the preferred mother ships are local dhows, whereas in the southern SB the preference is to use 8 metre whalers as mother ships.

Extra vigilance, strict implementation of and adherence to BMP and Self-Protection Measures remain essential for all areas. Masters are encouraged to get as much detail as possible including photographs of any vessel acting in a suspicious manner.

If any incident occurs, Masters are requested to report immediately to UKMTO via telephone and provide the details of the incident. This will ensure the information is provided to other ships in the area for their awareness and vigilance.

NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) press release